Deranged is a 2012 South Korean science-fiction horror film starring Kim Myung-min, Kim Dong-wan of Shinhwa and Lee Ha-nui. It was produced by Lim Ji-young and Oz One Film, directed by Park Jung-woo and distributed by CJ E&M.
Plot:
Jae-hyuk (Kim Myeong-min) is a former professor with a doctorate in biochemistry who is currently working as a pharmaceutical sales representative after losing his life savings and his job due to a bad investment he made in the stock market from advice he received from his younger brother.
When a series of dead bodies are found floating in the Han River, the public is shocked to discover that the deaths are related to a fatal outbreak of virus-infected mutant parasitic horsehair worms, called ‘Yeongasi’, that can control the human brain. Those infected show symptoms of increased hunger without appropriate weight gain and excessive thirst when the worms are mature and ready to reproduce. Hence, they jump into the river to allow the worms to come out of the body.
While the authorities work to find a cure, Jae-hyuk and his brother Jae-pil (Kim Dong-wan), a detective agonized with guilt for squandering Jae-hyuk’s money in the stock market, struggle to save Jae-hyuk’s family when they also exhibit similar symptoms…
Reviews:
“Yes, there are messages about the callousness of big business and the recurring foolishness of man tampering with nature, but they’re never didactic, and they never overwhelm the film’s escapist thrills.” Village Voice
“Terrific, engrossing and intelligent epidemic thriller from Korea, which shows up American product like Contagion and Outbreak for their shallowness and commercialism.” Film Journal International
Original title:
Hangul: 연가시
Hanja: 鐵線蟲
RR: Yeongasi
